An Ottawa hospital misidentified a dying patient. Now 2 families say they’re being ignored

Insley said she would have suggested more stringent measures be put in place to prevent another misidentification like the one her family experienced.”I would have wanted to make sure that there were multiple layers of verification before any decisions were made about a patient’s treatment or end-of-life care,” she said. “No family should have to go through what we did.”Sam echoed her sentiments, saying he was disappointed that the hospital did not follow up with him after he submitted his recommendations for the policy changes.”I feel like decisions were taken for him without anyone consulting us, his family who knew him best,” he said. “It’s a terrible feeling to know that we were left out of the process entirely.”Both families are now left grappling with the aftermath of the misidentification and the lack of communication from the hospital. They are trying to move forward, but the pain and confusion still linger.”It’s been a difficult year for us, and to not have closure or answers from the hospital only adds to our grief,” Insley said. “We’re trying to take things one day at a time, but it’s hard when there are so many unanswered questions.”Sam said he is still holding out hope that the hospital will reach out to him and his family to provide the closure they need.”For me, the best apology would be to put things in the system that assures that never happens again,” he said. “I just want to know that our voices were heard and that changes were made because of what happened to my brother.”As they continue to navigate their grief and frustration, both families are left wondering if they will ever receive the apology and explanations they so desperately seek. For now, they are left feeling ignored by the very institution that caused them so much pain.